It's Complicated: Part 7

One year later

General POV

The doctors at Michigan State sat at a round table. This was one of the saddest cases they have ever gotten. A now 17 year old girl from Seattle was involved with cutting to take away the pain of her everyday life. The first warning was when she landed herself in the hospital for the first time. He doctor had warned her that something serious could come out of it if she didn't listen to him. She agreed and was discharged that afternoon. Apparently, after having some fall outs with friends, she was then air lifted to Michigan State, for the top doctors in blood loss. She didn't have any guardian present. The only one she had was Mrs. Marissa Benson. Yet she lived in Seattle with her son and was in no way capable of going to Michigan. Suddenly, the head doctor walked in.

"I was just in Samantha Puckett's room. I have bad news. Lucy. Get Mrs. Benson on the phone." Dr. Justin Langhorn stated in his monotone voice.

A middle-aged woman picked up the phone, "Hello?"

Dr. Langhorn sighed, "Is this Marissa Benson?"

"This is she."

"Marissa, we have some devastating news. Based on the amount of blood loss, Samantha only has about 1 month left of her life. We've done all we can. We've stopped the bleeding, had blood transfusions, but once in a blue moon they don't work. Unfortunately, that's what happened to Sam. We are so sorry."

Surprisingly, her voice seemed calm and unchanging from when she picked up the phone. "Ok. I'll have someone watch my son and I'll take a plane. I'll be over on Saturday." With that, she hung up.

Then, the doctors scrambled to their floors and back to their jobs.

At the Benson's House

"Freddie, sweetie, can you come here for a minute?"

The 17 year old came down the steps, "Yeah?" He looked washed out and tired, but Marissa already knew this. He was missing Sam. He would be even more devastated once he found out the news, so Marissa vowed not to tell him until the time is right.

"I'm going to be gone for a few days, so you are going to be here for a good 2 days by yourself."

Freddie just mumbled and walked back up the steps, but he turned around to ask a single question, "Where are you going?"

Marissa was not prepared for this question. "I'm going to an Aggressive Parenting Seminar."

Freddie seemed ok with this answer, but when he got to his room he remembered that his mom stopped going to those seminars last year, when Sam moved in. Where was she going?

Next Morning

"Freddie! I'm leaving! Be good!" She shut the door behind her and got into her car. She hated to lie to Freddie, but she didn't want to upset him. It was for his own good. Then, she started to the airport, 30 minutes away.

After getting passed security and getting on her plane, she got comfortable for the 4 hour and 50 minute flight. After that, she would check into her hotel and call Freddie to tell him she landed safely. She rested her eyes just for a moment and before she knew it, they had landed.

She got off the plane and hailed down a cab so she could find a hotel close enough to the hospital. She found a decent hotel about 12 blocks from the hospital at a reasonable price. She checked in and found out she was suffering from extreme jet lag even though she didn't travel very far. She would see Sam tomorrow and take her home the next.

For some reason Marissa felt the need to clean. She didn't touch her suitcase, but went into her purse, trying to find her phone, to tell Freddie she was alright before she forgot. She suddenly got nervous. Why would she be afraid to just to check in on her kid? She wasn't hurting him. She fought with her mind and picked up the phone. She swiftly dialed Freddie's number and talked for a while. She looked at the clock and saw it passed the time she would normally have dinner. She ordered a salad from room service and quietly ate alone.

The next morning Marissa managed to sleep passed the time she would wake up. She had slept in until 10 o'clock. Today was Friday and it was all-day visiting day at the hospital. That way, she could spend the day with a hospitalized Sam. She took a shower and changed her clothes. Locking the door behind her, she walked down the hall to the elevator and hailed a cab outside the lobby.

When she arrived at the hospital, Marissa walked up to the front desk lady and asked where the blood loss unit was. The receptionist, Linda, handed her a map and pointed to the 6th floor. When Marissa entered, she asked that front desk receptionist which room Samantha Puckett was in.

As she turned the corner, she noticed a doctor standing outside of the door.

"Excuse me. I'm Marissa Benson, here to see Sam."

"Hello Marissa. I'm Dr. Langhorn. We talked on the phone."

"Oh yes. Is there a problem?"

The doctor said confidently, "One of the nurses in training, who's supposed to keep track of Sam's medicine, missed placed the pills Sam is supposed to take. They were her pain pills. Luckily, she doesn't feel anything right now. You may go see her."

Marissa opened the door and was blasted by cold air. Much to her dismay, the room was empty with one lone 'get well soon' teddy bear. Sam was drawing a picture.

"Hello Sam."

Sam looked up and her face pulled a small smile, "Hi Mrs. Benson."

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm tired and I feel a little bit weak. Is Freddie with you?" Sam asked, her face full of hopefulness.

Marissa replied with a no and told her not to tell him about her fate until the right time. Sam just nodded and went back to drawing. Marissa sat in one of the few chairs the room provided. When Sam was done with her drawing, she showed Mrs. Benson. She was in awe when she saw the picture. It had two hands holding onto a rose.

"Sam, it's beautiful." That made Sam smile.

They started to talk and catch up and the nurse came in for her lunch and dinner, but that never stopped the conversation. Before long, the night nurse came in to inform Mrs. Benson that visiting hours were over. They had given her 4 extra hours. Marissa faces Sam.

"Tomorrow you get to come home. You get to see Freddie." Sam's faced lit up. Mrs. Benson continued. "But that doesn't mean you talk about what's going on. You just tell him you're weak and fragile." Yet Sam wasn't listening. "Sam, this is serious. I have to go. Get some rest."

The Next Day

Marissa Benson woke up at exactly 9:55 to be greeted by the bright sun. She would pick Sam up in one hour and get a taxi to the airport. Then, they will enjoy their flight back home.

An hour later Marissa was outside of Sam's room, talking with Dr. Langhorn about the specific medicine. Then the female day nurse came out of Sam's room.

"She's ready for you Mrs. Benson."

As soon as they got on their plane Sam fell asleep. Marissa went over all the things the doctor had told her. She then flagged down the stewardess.

"Excuse me miss, do you have wifi?"

"Yes we do. We also have bars in case you need to call someone."

"Perfect. Thank you." Marissa then called the nurse Dr. Langhorn had recommended and set up a time schedule for her to follow for medicines and such. Just as she was finishing the call, Sam woke up.

"Are we there yet?"

"Almost," Marissa replied and then quickly texted Freddie to meet him at the airport. When it was safe to get off the flight, Marissa and Sam were the last ones off. As soon as Sam got off the steps, she was pulled into a warm embrace bye Freddie. There was so much to tell him. But she has so little time.